Caladium plant named ‘Peppermint’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Caladium  plant named ‘Peppermint’, characterized by its upright and mounding plant habit; intermediate plant size; vigorous and dense growth habit; rapid growth rate; lance-type leaves that are red purple and white in color with dark green-colored margins and white-colored venation.

Botanical designation: Caladium×hortulanum.

Cultivar denomination: ‘PEPPERMINT’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Caladiumplant, botanically known as Caladium×hortulanum, commercially referredto as a lance leaf-type Caladium and hereinafter referred to by the name‘Peppermint’.

The objective of the Inventor's breeding program is to create newCaladium plants that have uniform plant habit, exceptional container andgarden performance and attractive foliage coloration.

The new Caladium plant originated from a cross-pollination made by theInventor in April, 2002, in Lake Placid, Fla. of Caladium×hortulanum‘Pink Symphony’, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent withCaladium×hortulanum ‘White Wing’, not patented, as the male, or pollen,parent. The new Caladium plant was discovered and selected by theInventor as a single plant within the progeny of the statedcross-pollination in a controlled outdoor nursery environment in LakePlacid, Fla. on Jun. 15, 2003.

Asexual reproduction of the new Caladium plant by tuber divisions in acontrolled outdoor nursery environment in Lake Placid, Fla. since Apr.15, 2004 has shown that the unique features of this new Caladium plantare stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations ofasexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Caladium have not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature and light intensity,without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Peppermint’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Peppermint’ as a new and distinct Caladiumplant:

-   -   1. Upright and mounding plant habit; intermediate plant size.    -   2. Vigorous and dense growth habit; rapid growth rate.    -   3. Lance-type leaves that are red purple and white in color with        dark green-colored margins and white-colored venation.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the femaleparent, ‘Pink Symphony’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are broader than leaves        of plants of ‘Pink Symphony’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Pink Symphony’ differ in leaf        coloration as plants of ‘Pink Symphony’ have light pink-colored        leaves with green-colored margins and venation.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the maleparent, ‘White Wing’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium had broader leaves than plants of        ‘White Wing’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘White Wing’ differ in leaf        color as plants of ‘White Wing’ have white and green-colored        leaves with green-colored mottled margins and pink to creamy        white-colored venation.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants of ‘FloridaSweetheart’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,526. In side-by-sidecomparisons conducted in Lake Placid, Fla., plants of the new Caladiumdiffered primarily from plants of ‘Florida Sweetheart’ in the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium were larger than plants of        ‘Florida Sweetheart’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium had narrower leaves than plants of        ‘Florida Sweetheart’.    -   3. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Florida Sweetheart’ differed        in leaf coloration as plants of ‘Florida Sweetheart’ had dark        pink-colored leaves with thin green-colored margins and rose        red-colored venation.

Plants of the new Caladium can also be compared to plants of ‘ThaiBeauty’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in LakePlacid, Fla., plants of the new Caladium differed primarily from plantsof ‘Thai Beauty’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium had broader leaves than plants of        ‘Thai Beauty’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Thai Beauty’ differed in leaf        coloration as plants of ‘Thai Beauty’ had pink-colored leaves        with thin green-colored margins and white to greenish        white-colored venation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Caladium plant. These photographs show the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color valuescited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describethe colors of the new Caladium plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of atypical plant of ‘Peppermint’ grown in a container in a shadehouse.

The photograph on the second sheet is a close-up view of typicalinflorescences of ‘Peppermint’.

The photograph at the top of the third sheet is a top perspective viewof typical plants of ‘Peppermint’ grown in an outdoor nursery.

The photograph at the bottom of the third sheet is a close-up view oftypical freshly-dug tubers and roots of ‘Peppermint’.

The photograph at the top of the fourth sheet is a side perspective viewof typical potted plants of ‘Peppermint’ (center), ‘White Wing’ (left)and ‘Pink Symphony’ (right).

The photograph at the bottom of the fourth sheet is a side perspectiveview of typical potted plants of ‘Peppermint’ (center), ‘Thai Beauty’(left) and ‘Florida Sweetheart’ (right).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown during the spring and summer in 15-cmcontainers in Avon Park, Fla. in a polypropylene-covered shadehouse (30%shade) and plants grown during the spring and summer in ground beds inZolfo Springs, Fla. during the late summer in an outdoor nursery. Allplants were grown under conditions and practices which approximate thosegenerally used in commercial Caladium production. During the productionof the plants, day temperatures ranged from about 20° C. to 35° C.,night temperatures ranged from about 10° C. to 26° C. and light levelswere about 8,000 foot-candles (shadehouse) or 10,000 to 12,000foot-candles (outdoor nursery). Plants had been growing in theshadehouse for eight weeks from planting tubers when the photographs andthe detailed description were taken. Plants had been growing in theoutdoor nursery for six months from planting tuber divisions when thephotographs and the detailed description were taken. In the followingdescription, color references are made to The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Caladium×hortulanum ‘Peppermint’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Caladium×hortulanum ‘Pink            Symphony’, not patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Caladium×hortulanum ‘White Wing’,            not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By tuber divisions.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About seven to ten days at            32° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two to three weeks at            24° C.        -   Tuber description (outdoor nursery-grown            plants).—Appearance: Multi-segmented; individual segments            ovate in shape. Height: About 3.2 cm. Diameter: About 3 cm.            Texture: Thick and starchy; somewhat brittle. Color:            Epidermis, between 164D and 160D; with development, close to            200A to 200B; interior, close to 1D. Root description:            Dense, thick, fleshy contractile roots with few lateral            branches; color, close to 155C.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant type.—Herbaceous perennial; suitable as a potted plant            in containers 15-cm to 25-cm and also suitable as a            landscape plant.        -   Plant and growth habit.—Upright and mounding plant habit;            intermediate plant size; inverted triangle; vigorous and            dense growth habit; rapid growth rate; petioles and leaves            arise from one or more growing points on tubers; petioles            mostly upright and leaning outwardly with development.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of leaf plane,            shadehouse-grown plants.—About 29 cm to 33 cm.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of inflorescences,            shadehouse-grown plants.—About 33.5 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread, shadehouse-grown plants.—About 47            cm to 53 cm.        -   Number of clumps per plant, shadehouse-grown plants.—About            eleven from tubers.        -   Cataphylls, shadehouse-grown plants.—Length: About 7 cm.            Width: About 1.7 cm. Shape: Lanceolate to narrowly elliptic.            Apex: Acuminate. Base: Sheathing the stem. Color, inner and            outer surfaces: Between 177D and N170D tinged with close to            147B, streaked with close to 147A and N186C; with            development, color becoming closer to 200C.-   Foliage description:    -   -   Length, shadehouse-grown plants.—About 19 cm to 22 cm.        -   Width, shadehouse-grown plants (flattened).—About 10.5 cm to            15.5 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Sagittate to peltate.        -   Margin.—Entire; undulate.        -   Texture, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous.        -   Texture, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous; glaucous.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Color, shadehouse-grown plants.—Developing leaves, upper            surface: Center: Ground color, close to 155C; random spots,            streaks and sectors, close to 59A, 59B or 59C; basal notch,            close to 59A. Margins: Between N189A and 147A; interior to            dark green-colored margins are diffuse green-colored            markings, close to 137A to 137B. Venation: Midrib, close to            196C to 196D tinged with close to 62D; distal midrib,            between 155C and 192D; primary veins, close to 196C to 196D.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Center: Ground color,            close to 155C tinged with close to 145D and 139D; random            spots, streaks and sectors, close to 59A, 59B or 59C; basal            notch, close to 59A. Margins: Close to 147A and between 137A            and 138A; interior to dark green-colored margins are diffuse            green-colored markings, close to 139C and 137D. Venation:            Midrib, between N170D and 148B to 148C; distal midrib, close            to 147C; primary veins, close to 148B and 148C tinged with            close to N170D. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface:            Center: Ground color, close to 59B to 59C; random basal            sectors, close to 155C tinged with close to 192D; basal            notch, close to 59A. Margins: Between 147A and N189A.            Venation: Midrib, close to N155B to N155C streaked with            close to 191A to 191B; distal midrib, close to 192C tinged            and streaked with close to 191A to 191B; primary veins,            close to N155B to N155C tinged and streaked with close to            191B. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Center: Ground            color, close to 59B to 59C; random basal sectors, close to            155C tinged with close to 145D; basal notch, close to 59A.            Margins: Between 137B and 191A. Venation: Midrib, close to            N170D and 194B; distal midrib, between 191A and 137C;            primary veins, between 194B and 147C.        -   Color, field-grown plants.—Developing leaves, upper surface:            Center: Ground color, close to 155C, random spots, streaks            and sectors, close to 59B or 59C; basal notch, close to 59A.            Margins: Between 147A and 137A; interior to dark            green-colored margins are diffuse green-colored markings,            close to 137B to 137C. Venation: Close to 196C to 196D.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Center: Ground color, more            white than 155C; random spots, streaks and sectors, close to            59B; random sectors, close to 137B to 137C; basal notch,            close to 59A. Margins: Close to 189A; interior to dark            green-colored margins are diffuse green-colored markings,            close to 146D. Venation: Midrib, between N170D and 194B;            distal midrib, close to 194B; primary veins, between 194A            and 147C; secondary veins, close to 146C to 146D tinged with            close to 59D. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Center:            Ground color, close to 155C; random spots, streaks and            sectors, close to 59A or 59B; basal notch, close to 59A to            59B. Margins: Close to 147A or 147A tinged with close to            N189A. Venation: Close to 196C often tinged with close to            59C to 59D. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Center:            Ground color, close to 155C; random spots, streaks and            sectors, close to 60A; random sectors, close to 137B to            137C; basal notch, close to 59A. Margins: Between 147A and            189A; interior to dark green-colored margins are diffuse            green-colored markings, close to 137B to 137C. Venation:            Midrib, close to N170D tinged with close to 194B; distal            midrib, close to 194B; primary veins, close to 146D;            secondary veins, close to 146D tinged with close to 59D.        -   Petiole.—Aspect: Mostly erect, outwardly arching with            development; flexible. Length, shadehouse-grown plants:            About 23 to 25 cm. Diameter, distal, shadehouse-grown            plants: About 4 mm. Diameter, proximal, shadehouse-grown            plants: About 1 cm. Color, proximal, shadehouse-grown            plants: Close to 177D or N170D tinged with close to 147B;            streaks tessellated with close to N186A and 147A. Color,            distal, shadehouse-grown plants: Close to 147A to 147B. Wing            length, shadehouse-grown plants: About 4.5 cm to 7 cm. Wing            diameter, shadehouse-grown plants: About 1 cm. Wing color,            shadehouse-grown plants, outer surface: Close to 159C tinged            with close to N170D. Wing color, shadehouse-grown plants,            inner surface: Close to N155C; streaks, close to N186B            tinged with close to 147A.-   Inflorescence description: Inflorescences observed on    shadehouse-grown plants.    -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Upright hooded spathes            surrounding a columnar spadix borne on a tall upright scape;            spadix with sessile, simple female and male flowers            separated into two zones; female flowers arranged on the            lower one-third of the spadix; male flowers arranged on the            upper two-thirds of the spadix; sterile flowers develop            between female and male flower zones; near this area, the            spathe constricts and surrounds and encloses the female            flowers; spathe open and cupped around male flowers.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Natural flowering season/longevity.—Plants of the new            Caladium typically flower during the spring or early summer            in central Florida; flowers develop about eight weeks after            growth commences; inflorescences last about three days            before fading; inflorescences persistent.        -   Spathe.—Length: About 10 cm; open length, about 7 cm and            closed length, about 3 cm. Width, distal: About 3.2 cm.            Width, proximal: About 3 cm. Width, at constriction: About            1.8 cm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acuminate. Base: Tapering to the            peduncle. Margin: Entire; reflexed. Texture, upper and lower            surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Front surface: Upper            two-thirds: Close to N155C to N155D tinged with close to 69B            to 69C; margin variably marked with 186A and 186C to 186D;            color becoming closer to 199C to 199D with development.            Lower one-third: Close to 137B to 137C; towards the base,            deeply tinged with close to 187A; color becoming closer to            137A to 137B variably mottled with close to 155A or 150D            with development. Rear surface: Upper two-thirds: Close to            between 69C to 69D and N155D; center flushed with close to            N170D and streaked with close to 146C to 146D; margins,            close to between 69C to 69D and N155D and variably marked            with close to 186A and 186C to 186D. Lower one-third: Close            to 137A to 137B variably mottled with close to 155A or 150D.            Spadix: Length: About 9 cm. Length, male flower zone: About            7 cm. Length, female flower zone: About 2 cm. Diameter, male            flower zone: About 9 mm. Diameter, sterile flower zone:            About 7 mm. Diameter, female flower zone: About 1 cm. Shape:            Columnar. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Obtuse. Aspect: Upright or            curved. Color, mature, male zone: Between 11C and 158A.            Color, mature, sterile zone: Between 11C and 158A. Color,            mature, female zone: Between 161C and 16C to 16D. Male            flowers: Quantity per spadix: About 297. Shape: Obovate.            Height: About 2 mm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Anther color:            Close to 158C. Amount of pollen: None observed. Female            flowers: Quantity per spadix: About 260. Shape: Obovate.            Height: About 3 mm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Stigma color:            Between 161C and 16C to 16D. Ovary color: Close to 158D.            Scape: Length: About 23.5 cm. Diameter: About 6 mm.            Strength: Sturdy; flexible. Aspect: Erect or slightly            curved. Texture: Smooth, glabrous; glaucous. Color: Close to            177D tinged with close to 147B and streaked/tessellated with            close to N186A. Seed and fruit: Seed and fruit development            have not been observed on plants of the new Caladium.-   Disease/pest resistance: Plants of the new Caladium have been    observed to be relatively tolerant to Pythium root rot and    Xanthomonas leaf spot. Plants of the new Caladium have not been    observed to be resistant to pests or other pathogens common to    Caladium plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been observed    to be tolerant to temperatures ranging from about 7° C. to about    40° C. and suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 8A to 11.

1. A new and distinct Caladium plant named ‘Peppermint’ as illustratedand described.